Lyon 1 hosts the first Co-leads in-person meeting following the new Arqus structures

The Co-leads of the different Arqus Working Groups (WGs) met yesterday and today at the University of Lyon 1 to review the current status of the Alliance and the progress towards the common objectives and results set out in the 2022-2026 Work Plan. The Arqus Coordinator, Dorothy Kelly, the Secretary-General, Fernando Galán, Local Insitutional Coordinators and other representatives of the Alliance, have also participated in this event. This is the first face-to-face meeting of the Arqus Co-Leads after the implementation of the new Arqus Governing Principles and Provisions (GPPs), which came into force at the beginning of March following approval by all partner universities.

Yesterday’s Arqus f2f Co-Leads meeting included two plenary sessions on follow-up tools, cross-cutting issues and mobility strategies within the Alliance. Lunch was followed by breakout sessions focusing on internal working group meetings in the different Arqus initiatives as well as general orientations from the Education, Research & Innovation and Societal Engagement Boards. The day concluded with a Management Team meeting and optional bilateral/multilateral meetings (Innovative & Virtual Learning Formats, early-stage researchers, Toolkits & Mobility Guide and QA Education Offer).

Today’s agenda started with bilateral/multilateral meetings (Information & Technology, Science Communication, Staff Week on Inclusion and Talent Fund). At 10:00 CEST, a breakout session chaired by the respective Institutional Coordinators and Coordination took place. Topics included summarising discussions and joint presentations, with working groups meeting on the basis of their respective Boards.

After a break, a plenary session chaired by Coordination reported on conclusions, homework and short, medium and long-term objectives.

During either the meetings of each working group or among the different groups, valuable synergies have been generated. These interactions have facilitated the exchange of ideas, best practices and innovative solutions among members of the three Boards, thereby enriching the Alliance’s collaborative efforts in Education, Research & Innovation and Societal Engagement.

“As we approach the mid-point of our second work plan, unveil our new governance and operational structures following extensive consultation with all our partner universities and witness a new boost for the Alliances with the recently adopted European Higher Education Package, this meeting becomes pivotal.

With representatives from all Arqus Working Groups across our three Boards in Education, Research & Innovation and Societal Engagement, it provides a crucial opportunity for a comprehensive review of progress, enhanced collaboration and the establishment of clear pathways for future progress within the Alliance”, said Dorothy Kelly, Arqus Coordinator.